In honor of International Women’s Day, upcoming on March 8th, it is more important than ever to celebrate the extraordinary impact of women throughout the world. Yet we must also realize the work we must do to ensure gender equality, particularly
when it comes to environmental justice. This is why I write to invite you to cosponsor my bill,H.R. 4932, the Women and Climate Change Act of 2018, which would provide coordinated and comprehensive strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on women and girls around the world.

As you know, all over the world, women are facing greater economic, agricultural, and health-related hardships arising from climate change. Climate change has led to scarcity, drought, food insecurity, and increased disease in many vulnerable communities.
Women often disproportionately face harmful effects through their influential roles in growing food, collecting vital resources, and providing for the economic wellbeing of their families and communities. Conflict, displacement, and refugee crises that result
from climate change sometimes lead to violence and sexual exploitation against women, as well as increased health risks and mortality rates.

While women are bearing the brunt of climate change’s effects, they are often underrepresented in the development of climate change adaptation policy. That’s why I am proud to introduce theWomen and Climate Change Act of 2018. My bill will affirm the commitment to include and empower women in economic development planning and international climate change policies and practices to help communities embark on a path towards clean and sustainable
development.

I believe it is particularly fitting this International Women’s Day to recognize the resilience of women and continue the progress we have made globally on advancing women’s rights. I hope you will join me as a cosponsor ofH.R. 4932, the Women and Climate Change Act of 2018 to help empower women and encourage more intersectional and gender-sensitive approaches in climate change policy. If you would like to join as a cosponsor or for more information, please
contact Maria Elena Pino in my office at
MariaElena.Pino@mail.house.gov or 5-2661.